Route L9 – Wettenhall & Bunbury from Nantwich (21 miles-easy)

This circular route starts and finishes from Nantwich, but can be based from Audlem by combining it with routes N (Audlem – Nantwich).
The route follows back roads and lanes taking in delightful countryside and crossing three different branches of the Shropshire Union canal network: the Middlewich branch, the main line at Bunbury staircase locks and Nantwich and the Llangollen canal at Swanley.
The broad beam staircase locks at Bunbury are located with a busy boat hire base and provide much interesting activity particularly at summer weekends. Be aware that the historic Bunbury Mill is only open on Sunday afternoons and bank holiday Mondays.
Bunbury was used in the autumn of 2014 as the setting for the fictional village of 'Great Paxford' in the ITV drama, 'Home Fires'. The village was a victim of the blitz in World War 2.
Thomas Telford's historic iron aqueduct in Nantwich has been recently refurbished and looks splendid!
There are optional routes via either Haughton or Brindley, both being equally pleasant.

• The main road crossing of the A534 at Reaseheath requires care
• The crossing and short main road section of the A51 at Alpraham requires great care.
• Welsh Row in Nantwich can be congested and should be cycled with care.
• Those travelling on the Brindley option and wishing to visit The Thatch in Faddiley should note that this involves a short detour on the busy A534, where care should be taken.

Places of interest

Bunbury Mill (Sunday afternoons and Bank Holiday Mondays Spring to Autumn only)
Canal staircase locks at Bunbury

Refreshments

The Little Man Inn, Wettenhall
Tollemache Arms, Alpraham
The Thatch, Faddiley (Brindley option)
The Yew Tree Inn, Spurstow
The Nags Head Bunbury
The Dysart Arms, Bunbury
The Nag's Head, Haughton Moss (Haughton option) (closed at Feb 2020)
Chestnut Cafe, Brindley (Haughton option)
Venetian Marina Cafe
Tilly's Coffee Shop, Bunbury
The Village Chippy, Bunbury
Cafe in Bunbury Mill